Multilayer capsules made of weak polyelectrolytes: a review on the preparation, functionalization and applications in drug delivery

• Varsha Sharma and
• Anandhakumar Sundaramurthy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 508–532, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.41

Fully amino acid-based hydrogel as potential scaffold for cell culturing and drug delivery

• Dávid Juriga,
• Evelin Sipos,
• Orsolya Hegedűs,
• Gábor Varga,
• Miklós Zrínyi,
• Krisztina S. Nagy and
• Angéla Jedlovszky-Hajdú

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2579–2593, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.249

• viability results. According to the literature, various forms of lysine-containing scaffolds are able to enhance both the adhesion and the proliferation of stem cells. The most commonly used scaffolds are based on poly-ʟ-lysine [30][59][60] and poly-ᴅ-lysine [61]. However, LYS was applied as a cross-linker

Materials nanoarchitectonics at two-dimensional liquid interfaces

• Katsuhiko Ariga,
• Michio Matsumoto,
• Taizo Mori and
• Lok Kumar Shrestha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1559–1587, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.153

• , various materials such as molecular machines, molecular receptors, block-copolymer, DNA origami, nanocarbon, phages, and stem cells were assembled at liquid interfaces by using various useful techniques. This review overviews techniques such as conventional Langmuir–Blodgett method, vortex Langmuir

Comparative biological effects of spherical noble metal nanoparticles (Rh, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au) with 4–8 nm diameter

• Alexander Rostek,
• Marina Breisch,
• Kevin Pappert,
• Kateryna Loza,
• Marc Heggen,
• Manfred Köller,
• Christina Sengstock and
• Matthias Epple

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2763–2774, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.258

• determine the effect of particle exposure on the viability of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Except for silver, no adverse effect of any of the metal nanoparticles was observed for concentrations up to 50 ppm (50 mg L−1) incubated for 24 h, indicating that noble metal nanoparticles (rhodium

• , Pd, Ag, Pt and Au that are of the same size and have the same surface functionalization (PVP) to compare their biological effect on a well-established system, i.e., on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Materials and Methods Chemicals Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP K 30, Povidon 30; Fluka, M

• with a sample volume of 750 µL were used. High-resolution imaging was performed using an aberration-corrected FEI Titan transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with a Cs-probe corrector (CEOS Company) and operating at 300 kV [53]. Cell biology Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC, 5th to 10th

Cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-conjugated poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide]-modified γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles towards human tumor cells

• Zdeněk Plichta,
• Yulia Kozak,
• Rostyslav Panchuk,
• Viktoria Sokolova,
• Matthias Epple,
• Lesya Kobylinska,
• Pavla Jendelová and
• Daniel Horák

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2533–2545, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.236

• undifferentiated cells, mesenchymal stem cells were utilized. Cellular uptake of agents was studied by fluorescence microscopy and induction of cell death was visualized by live/dead assay. Dox-conjugated γ-Fe2O3@P(HPMA-MMAA) particles showed enhanced cytotoxicity in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tumor cells

• particles possess a slight cytoprotective activity towards human stem cells, but partially enhance the cytotoxic effect of Dox towards tumor cell lines, especially drug-resistant cell lines, which may be an advantage when moving to pre-clinical trials. Such an effect of the nanoparticles may be explained by

• -Fe2O3@P(HPMA-MMAA)-Dox nanoparticles (Dox+NP) towards human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC, seeded 5∙104 per mL), MTT assay. Data are relative to the untreated controls and represent the mean +/− SD of three independent experiments. *p < 0.05 relative to Dox, ** p < 0.01 relative to Dox, unpaired t-test

Biomimetic and biodegradable cellulose acetate scaffolds loaded with dexamethasone for bone implants

• Aikaterini-Rafailia Tsiapla,
• Varvara Karagkiozaki,
• Veroniki Bakola,
• Foteini Pappa,
• Panagiota Gkertsiou,
• Eleni Pavlidou and
• Stergios Logothetidis

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1986–1994, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.189

• this nanoplatform cytocompatible. In future studies, the interaction with musculoskeletal tissues will be examined with other cell lines such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in order to evaluate the tissue specific response to our scaffolds. This cytocompatible

Preparation of micro/nanopatterned gelatins crosslinked with genipin for biocompatible dental implants

• Reika Makita,
• Tsukasa Akasaka,
• Seiichi Tamagawa,
• Yasuhiro Yoshida,
• Saori Miyata,
• Hirofumi Miyaji and
• Tsutomu Sugaya

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1735–1754, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.165

• either gelatin or collagen substrates. However, grooves with a width of 100 µm width did not influence osteoblast cell orientation [44]. Good cell alignment in collagen or gelatin grooves has also been reported for NIH-3T3 cells [36], vascular smooth muscle cells [46], and dental pulp stem cells [56]. In

• attachment of other cell types to other patterned surface, an improvement in cell attachment, due to patterning, depends on several different conditions. An increased tendency to attach to a patterned surface compared to a planar surface has been seen with human dental pulp-derived stem cells on tantalum

• pillars with diameters of 1 to 6 µm [67]. In contrast, Ca9-22 cells were shown to preferentially attach to a planar titanium surface, rather than one coated with grooves or with pillars with diameters of 500 nm to 2 µm [68]. Interestingly, Özçelik et al. have reported that bone marrow stem cells had a

Review on nanoparticles and nanostructured materials: history, sources, toxicity and regulations

• Jaison Jeevanandam,
• Ahmed Barhoum,
• Yen S. Chan,
• Alain Dufresne and
• Michael K. Danquah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1050–1074, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.98

• with the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the stem cells includes influential stem cell behavior through sources of passive mechanical force. A wide structural protein spectrum and polysaccharides of different length scales with dominating nanometer-sized collagen fibrils strands of 35–60 nm diameter

Bioinspired self-healing materials: lessons from nature

• Joseph C. Cremaldi and
• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 907–935, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.85

• repairing damaged tissue versus the ability to regenerate damaged tissue (100% repair), stem cells are the focal point. Regeneration can be found in invertebrates such as hydras and flatworms [56] or in vertebrates such as salamanders [57]. On a smaller scale, hair, skin, and blood cells all regrow to be

• more of a “myth and a dream” [60], with only the recent use of stem cells promising results on a smaller scale [61]. Stem cells refer to the original cells in an organism that replicate and mature (differentiate) to create every part of the organism. These cell types include skin, blood, muscle, and

• nerve cells as seen in Figure 4B [62]. Additionally, stem cells have the potential to expedite the healing process and are completely biocompatible when unique to the individual [21][22]. Stem cells in their most basic, embryonic form are referred to as undifferentiated or totipotent, having the

Nanoparticle delivery to metastatic breast cancer cells by nanoengineered mesenchymal stem cells

• Liga Saulite,
• Karlis Pleiko,
• Ineta Popena,
• Dominyka Dapkute,
• Ricardas Rotomskis and
• Una Riekstina

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 321–332, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.32

• , Vilnius University, Sauletekio Ave. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania, Laser Research Centre, Vilnius University, Sauletekio al. 9, corp. 3, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania 10.3762/bjnano.9.32 Abstract We created a 3D cell co-culture model by combining nanoengineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with the

• ; mesenchymal stem cells; quantum dots; spheroids; 3D cell culture; Introduction The recent progress in the development of nanoscale agents opens up new perspectives for targeted drug delivery in cancer diagnostics, imaging and therapy. However, once administered into the body, nanoparticles (NPs) are rapidly

• and their immune privileged nature, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic and imaging agents, such as drug-conjugated NPs [3][4]. MSCs are adult stem cells that can be isolated from various organs, including brain, liver, kidney, lung, bone marrow, muscle

Liquid-crystalline nanoarchitectures for tissue engineering

• Baeckkyoung Sung and
• Min-Ho Kim

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 205–215, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.22

• ) [40]. Locally ordered collagen type-I gels, obtained by solvent evaporation, could induce an aligned 2D growth of human mesenchymal stem cells as well as their guided differentiation into bone tissues within two weeks in osteogenic media [86]. The concentrated (ca. 90 mg/mL) collagen type-I film

• stem cells [7][98]. Investigations by the Hegmann group have shown that bioengineered LCE scaffolds can be used to control mechanical response, growth direction, and proliferation rate of the seeded myoblasts and neuroblastomers. Porous LCE matrices in smectic-A with interdigitated cholesterol moieties

• local alignments, which resulted in directed and oriented growth of human mesenchymal stem cells and their osteogenic differentiation [105]. Additionally, biomineralization-mimicking hybrid materials, using chitin nanowhisker gel matrices in a nematic phase as templates for CaCO3 crystallization, have

Synthesis and functionalization of NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@NaGdF₄ core–shell nanoparticles for possible application as multimodal contrast agents

• Dovile Baziulyte-Paulaviciene,
• Vitalijus Karabanovas,
• Marius Stasys,
• Greta Jarockyte,
• Vilius Poderys,
• Simas Sakirzanovas and
• Ricardas Rotomskis

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1815–1824, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.183

• behavior in biological systems and biocompatibility/nanotoxicity is still limited. The study of Cascales et al. showed that ultrasmall Yb:Er:NaGd(WO4)2 UCNPs could be successfully covered with Tween 80 and are internalized by human mesenchymal stem cells without triggering their metabolic activity, but

Micro- and nano-surface structures based on vapor-deposited polymers

• Hsien-Yeh Chen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1366–1374, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.138

• cell pluripotency against mouse embryonic stem cells [72]. A plasma-polymerized surface with gradient amino functionality was demonstrated to generate density gradients of individual gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles on the surfaces [73]. Poly(p-xylylene) surfaces with continuously and counter

• proliferation (FGF-2) and osteogenic differentiation (BMP-2) for adipose-derived stem cells [76]. Selective deposition The aforementioned methods rely on physical means to obtain spatially controlled surface modifications and patterned structures. A simpler approach is the selective inhibition of the vapor

Nano-engineered skin mesenchymal stem cells: potential vehicles for tumour-targeted quantum-dot delivery

• Liga Saulite,
• Dominyka Dapkute,
• Karlis Pleiko,
• Ineta Popena,
• Simona Steponkiene,
• Ricardas Rotomskis and
• Una Riekstina

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1218–1230, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.123

• nanoparticles in imaging and targeted therapy of tumours. Due to their tumour-homing ability, nano-engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be utilized as vectors to deliver diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles into a tumour. In the present study, uptake and functional effects of carboxyl-coated

• suggest that QD-labelled MSCs could be used for targeted drug delivery studies. Keywords: endocytosis; mesenchymal stem cells; quantum dots; stem cell differentiation; Introduction Despite remarkable advances in targeted therapies of various human malignancies, cancer is one of the leading causes of

• drug carriers [3]. Recent studies have shown that nano-engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be used as tumour-targeted therapeutic carriers, reflecting their tumour-homing capabilities [4][5][6]. MSCs are present in many tissues of the human body, including bone marrow, adipose tissues, skin

Uptake of the proteins HTRA1 and HTRA2 by cells mediated by calcium phosphate nanoparticles

• Olga Rotan,
• Katharina N. Severin,
• Simon Pöpsel,
• Alexander Peetsch,
• Melisa Merdanovic,
• Michael Ehrmann and
• Matthias Epple

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 381–393, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.40

• humidified atmosphere and cultivated according to standard cell culture protocols. A primary cell culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was cultivated using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) growth medium, supplemented according to the standard cultivation protocol. Approximately 12 h prior to the

Influence of hydrothermal synthesis parameters on the properties of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

• Sylwia Kuśnieruk,
• Jacek Wojnarowicz,
• Agnieszka Chodara,
• Tadeusz Chudoba,
• Stanislaw Gierlotka and
• Witold Lojkowski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1586–1601, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.153

• cells and osteosarcoma cells) [10]. The cell culture experiment confirmed that in comparison to conventional HAp, cytophilicity of the nanophase mineral improved with nano-HAp. In addition, an increased viability and spread of stem cells was observed for nano-HAP, in particular for the smallest 20 nm

• proliferation of such malignant cells was inhibited more efficiently by the occurrence of the nanoscale effect than by HAp particle morphology [9]. Another study analyzed the effects of different sized nano-HAp – ranging from 20 to 80 nm – on the proliferation of bone-related cells (bone marrow mesenchyme stem

On the pathway of cellular uptake: new insight into the interaction between the cell membrane and very small nanoparticles

• Claudia Messerschmidt,
• Daniel Hofmann,
• Anja Kroeger,
• Katharina Landfester,
• Volker Mailänder and
• Ingo Lieberwirth

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1296–1311, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.121

• : ATP depletion; calcium crystallization; cytotoxicity; endocytosis; HeLa cells; LDH; mesenchymal stem cells; morphology; necrosis; particle size; silica nanoparticles; TEM; Introduction Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiNPs) are used in a wide range of commercially available products to improve product

• limited to HeLa cells only or if this is a universal mechanism with which a cell and its membrane will react upon treatment with small silica NPs. Accordingly, we tested another 4 cell lines for the uptake morphologies: primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), human bone osteosarcoma cells (U2OS

Multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrids as MRI contrast agents

• Nikodem Kuźnik and
• Mateusz M. Tomczyk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1086–1103, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.102

• their potential as CAs exclusively in one of the MRI modes (T1 or T2). Further requirements consisted in better biocompatibility with the targeting of tumor cells, coupling with stem cells as well as crossing the cell membrane and blood–brain barrier. Finally, involving CNT activity in other diagnostic

• samples in several, especially biocompatible, media, such as water, saline, buffers, plasma, serum, or even cell cultures [18][33][34]. Stable dispersion is obtained by at least several minutes of sonication. Wu proved the stability of SPIO/oMWCNT#Wu in water for two weeks [38]. Models with stem cells

• ligand was coupled with a lipid chain, which was expected to enhance adsorption on the surface of the nanotube. The heptadentate DTPA ligand (L1), in turn, secured permanent coordination of Gd3+ in the new hybrid Gd-L1/MWCNT#Richard. Vittorio non-covalently combined pristine MWCNT with mesenchymal stem

Improved biocompatibility and efficient labeling of neural stem cells with poly(L-lysine)-coated maghemite nanoparticles

• Igor M. Pongrac,
• Marina Dobrivojević,
• Lada Brkić Ahmed,
• Michal Babič,
• Miroslav Šlouf,
• Daniel Horák and
• Srećko Gajović

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 926–936, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.84

• . Their properties can be modified by coating with different biocompatible polymers. To test if a coating polymer, poly(L-lysine), can improve the biocompatibility of nanoparticles applied to neural stem cells, poly(L-lysine)-coated maghemite nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. We evaluated

• their cellular uptake, the mechanism of internalization, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation of neural stem cells, and compared them to the commercially available dextran-coated nanomag®-D-spio nanoparticles. Results: Light microscopy of Prussian blue staining revealed a concentration-dependent

• intracellular uptake of iron oxide in neural stem cells. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and the calcein acetoxymethyl ester/propidium iodide assay demonstrated that poly(L-lysine)-coated maghemite nanoparticles scored better than nanomag®-D-spio in cell labeling efficiency, viability and proliferation

Nanostructured surfaces by supramolecular self-assembly of linear oligosilsesquioxanes with biocompatible side groups

• Maria Nowacka,
• Anna Kowalewska and
• Tomasz Makowski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 2377–2387, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.244

• underlying matrix. For example, surfaces carrying COOH groups were applied for studies on the effect of surface wettability on protein adsorption and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and HeLa cells [3], human fibroblasts [14], human mesenchymal stem cells [15][22], corneal

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro effects of 7 nm alloyed silver–gold nanoparticles

• Simon Ristig,
• Svitlana Chernousova,
• Wolfgang Meyer-Zaika and
• Matthias Epple

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1212–1220, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.124

• ) showed spherical, monodisperse, colloidally stable silver–gold nanoparticles of ≈7 nm diameter with measured molar metal compositions very close to the theoretical values. The examination of the nanoparticle cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) showed that the toxicity

• can be verified. Cell culture experiments To examine the cytotoxicity with regards to the molar fraction of silver in the nanoparticles, HeLa cells and human mesenchymal stem cells were incubated with nanoalloys of nine different compositions and also with pure gold and pure silver nanoparticles. In

• cells) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were used for cell experiments. The HeLa cells were cultured in DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium), supplemented with 10% of fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 U mL−1 penicillin, and 100 U mL−1 streptomycin. The hMSCs were cultivated in RPMI 1640

Influence of gold, silver and gold–silver alloy nanoparticles on germ cell function and embryo development

• Ulrike Taylor,
• Daniela Tiedemann,
• Christoph Rehbock,
• Wilfried A. Kues,
• Stephan Barcikowski and
• Detlef Rath

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 651–664, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.66

• effect was caused by silver ions. However, it supports findings made on spermatogonial stem cells in vitro, which claimed a decrease in cell proliferation after AgNP exposure [40][41]. Observations concerning female reproductive organs are rather rare as most nanoparticle biodistribution studies have

Silica micro/nanospheres for theranostics: from bimodal MRI and fluorescent imaging probes to cancer therapy

• Shanka Walia and
• Amitabha Acharya

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 546–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.57

• stretching vibration of Si–O–Si. The FITC conjugation with hybrid NPs was studied by using fluorescence spectroscopy. Both FITC and FITC-γ-Fe2O3 NPs exhibited an emission peak at 516 nm. The biocompatibility of these hybrid NPs was observed by incubating rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) with these hybrid

• found that the NPs emitted green light at 510 nm. The magnetic studies suggested that the nanocomposites exhibited typical property of superparamagnetic iron oxide by shortening the relaxation time T2. The cell uptake experiment of these nanocomposites was performed with human mesenchymal stem cells

• . Further, the adverse effects of these nanocomposites on the functions of stem cells were examined on adipocytes and osteocytes. Such strategies were also followed by Teng et al. [62], Kim et al. [63], Lee et al. [64], Shen et al. [65]. Further, Nagao et al. [66] reported the synthesis of a hybrid

Hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells: polymeric nanoparticle uptake and lineage differentiation

• Ivonne Brüstle,
• Thomas Simmet,
• Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus,
• Katharina Landfester and
• Volker Mailänder

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 383–395, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.38

• therapy and nanoparticles promises to enhance the effect of cellular therapies by using nanocarriers as drug delivery devices to guide the further differentiation or homing of stem cells. The impact of nanoparticles on primary cell types remains much more elusive as most groups study the nanoparticle–cell

• interaction in malignant cell lines. Here, we report on the influence of polymeric nanoparticles on human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). In this study we systematically investigated the influence of polymeric nanoparticles on the cell functionality and differentiation

• capacity of hHSCs and hMSCs to obtain a deeper knowledge of the interaction of stem cells and nanoparticles. As model systems of nanoparticles, two sets of either bioinert (polystyrene without carboxylic groups on the surface) or biodegradable (PLLA without magnetite) particles were analyzed. Flow

Proinflammatory and cytotoxic response to nanoparticles in precision-cut lung slices

• Stephanie Hirn,
• Nadine Haberl,
• Kateryna Loza,
• Matthias Epple,
• Wolfgang G. Kreyling,
• Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser,
• Markus Rehberg and
• Fritz Krombach

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 2440–2449, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.253

• response in PCLS. However, these NPs induced cytotoxicity in human mesenchymal stem cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro when incubated at a concentration of 25 µg/mL or higher [29][30]. Additionally, these NPs elicited a cytotoxic and inflammatory response in rat lungs 24 h after